Molded Armature for Decorating

Abstract

The components of the system include a set of armatures and retention mechanisms that enable the construction of projects using beads where the beads are retained on the armature by the retention mechanism, but the beads can be removed without the use of tools or excessive force. This set of components provides a system to be used as a toy or craft project. The beads can be removed, replaced and reorganized to change the design and provide a high level of re-usability and playability for children and in crafting.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an armature having a semi-rigid shape to receive a plurality of annular structures; and   a retention mechanism coupled to the armature, the retention mechanism to hold the plurality of annular structures on the armature and to control addition and removal of the plurality of annular structures while coupled to the armature.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the armature is a molded or extruded structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism to removably couple the armature to another armature.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retention mechanism includes a plurality of compression elements that compress to enable passage of an annular structure over the armature. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of compression elements include any one of a barb, leaf, bristle or ring. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism removeably coupled to the retention mechanism to provide an additional level of security in fixing a design.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the armature has dimensions to allow threading of the plurality of annular structures over the armature to occlude the armature. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising:
 an armature to receive a plurality of decorative annular structures, the armature formed from a mold to define a discrete shape; and   a retention mechanism coupled to the armature, the retention mechanism to removably hold the plurality of annular structures on the armature.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the retention mechanism controls addition and removal of the plurality of decorative annular structures while coupled to the armature. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism to removably couple the armature to another armature.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the retention mechanism includes a plurality of compression elements that compress to enable passage of an annular structure over the armature. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of compression elements include any one of a barb, leaf, bristle or ring. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the retention mechanism is integrally formed with the armature. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism removeably coupled to the retention mechanism to provide an additional level of security in fixing a design   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the armature has dimensions to allow threading of the plurality of annular structures over the armature to occlude the armature. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a means for receiving a plurality of decorations having an annular element, the means for receiving the plurality of decorations having a semi-rigid shape; and   a means for retaining the decorations coupled to the means for receiving the plurality of decorations, the means for retaining to hold the plurality of decorations on the means for receiving the plurality of decorations and to control addition and removal of the plurality of decorations while coupled to the armature.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for receiving the plurality of decorations is a molded or extruded structure. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a means for coupling to removably couple the means for receiving the plurality of decorations to an armature.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for retaining the decorations includes a plurality of compression elements that compress to enable passage of the annular element over the armature. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of compression elements include any one of a barb, leaf, bristle or ring.